The Perfect Brown Butter Chouquettes Recipe – Light & Sweet Bites

Golden, crispy chouquettes revolutionize brown butter into a magical culinary experience that elevates classic French pastry.

Delicate and light, these sweet treats dance between elegant sophistication and rustic charm.

Scattered pearl sugar adds a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the nutty, caramelized butter undertones.

Each bite whispers stories of Parisian bakeries and time-honored baking traditions.

The recipe combines simple ingredients with revolutionizeative techniques that turn ordinary choux pastry into something extraordinary.

Precision matters when crafting these delicate morsels, requiring careful attention to temperature and technique.

Prepare to unlock a world of delectable indulgence that will transport you straight to a charming French patisserie.

Fun Pairings for This Buttery Snack

• Enhance Sweet Richness: Pair these delicate chouquettes with a smooth caramel latte or vanilla bean cappuccino. The nutty brown butter notes complement the rich espresso, creating a balanced and indulgent flavor experience.
• Complement Delicate Texture: Serve alongside fresh seasonal berries or a light raspberry coulis. The bright, tangy fruit will cut through the pastry's buttery richness and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Elevate Dessert Moment: Match with a chilled glass of moscato d'asti or a light sparkling dessert wine. The wine's subtle sweetness and effervescence perfectly highlight the chouquettes' delicate crunch and brown butter undertones.
• Create Decadent Combination: Accompany with a scoop of salted caramel or brown butter ice cream. The similar flavor profiles will create a harmonious and luxurious dessert experience that intensifies the pastry's nutty, golden characteristics.

Flavor Variants That Pack a Sweet Punch

• Chocolate Chip Chouquettes: Fold in mini chocolate chips to the choux pastry batter before piping for a sweet, indulgent treat. Sprinkle with pearl sugar and bake as directed.
• Lavender Honey Chouquettes: Add dried lavender and a touch of honey to the brown butter mixture for a fragrant, floral-infused pastry. Dust with powdered sugar instead of pearl sugar.
• Savory Herb Chouquettes: Incorporate finely chopped fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary into the dough. Skip the sugar and top with grated parmesan cheese before baking for a sophisticated appetizer version.
• Almond Praline Chouquettes: Mix ground almonds into the choux pastry and top with crushed praline before baking. Drizzle with caramel sauce after cooling for extra richness.

Brown Butter’s Secret to Next-Level Chouquettes

• Elevate Flavor with Brown Butter: The nutty, golden-brown butter creates a rich, deeply caramelized base that transforms ordinary pastry into an extraordinary taste experience, adding depth and complexity to every delicate bite.
• Master a Classic French Technique: Choux pastry requires skill but becomes approachable with clear steps, allowing home bakers to craft professional-looking pastries that impress with their delicate, airy texture and elegant appearance.
• Indulge in Delightful Texture Contrast: Crisp exterior meets soft, pillowy interior, while Swedish pearl sugar adds a delightful crunch and sparkling sweetness that makes these chouquettes irresistibly textured and beautiful.
• Quick Elegant Dessert Option: Perfect for afternoon tea, brunch gatherings, or sophisticated dessert tables, these pastries can be prepared in under an hour, offering a gourmet treat without extensive time commitment.

What to Grab for Puffs with a Twist

Main Ingredients:

• All-Purpose Flour: A key structural ingredient that provides the base for the choux pastry dough and ensures proper texture.

• Milk, Water: Essential liquid components that help create the right consistency for the pastry base, with milk adding richness.
• Brown Butter: Provides a deep, nutty flavor and enhances the overall richness of the pastry.

• Eggs: Crucial for binding, adding structure, and creating a light, airy texture in the choux pastry.

• Salt: Balances and enhances the overall flavor of the pastry.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning and caramelization.
• Vanilla: Introduces a warm, aromatic flavor to complement the brown butter.

• Swedish Pearl Sugar: Provides a delightful crunch and decorative element to the chouquettes, creating a sweet exterior.
• Parchment Paper: Ensures easy release and prevents sticking during baking.

How to Bake for Crisp Shell and Soft Middle

Step 1: Brown The Butter

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Continue cooking until it becomes foamy, golden brown, and develops a nutty aroma, about 3-4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and let cool slightly.

Step 2: Prepare Baking Sheets

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Gently trace 1 1/4″ circles on each sheet, then flip so the drawing is underneath.

Step 3: Create Choux Pastry Base

• Milk
• Water
• Brown butter
• Salt
• Vanilla
• Sugar

Heat until the mixture boils. Remove from heat and quickly stir in flour. Return to heat and cook while stirring for 2 minutes to dry out the mixture.

Step 4: Mix Pastry Dough

Transfer mixture to a stand mixer with paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed for 1 minute to cool. Then on low speed, slowly add eggs until fully incorporated. If dough seems too stiff, add another egg.

Step 5: Pipe And Decorate Chouquettes

Fill a piping bag with a round tip. Pipe dough onto traced circles, ending each with a gentle wrist flick. Smooth any pointed tips with a wet fingertip. Generously sprinkle with Swedish pearl sugar.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350°F and continue baking 10-15 minutes until golden brown. Create a small vent in each pastry with a knife. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Tips for Browning Butter Just Right

• Brown Better Slowly: Watch the butter carefully during browning to prevent burning, as the line between perfect nuttiness and bitter char is thin.
• Check Dough Consistency: The choux pastry should be smooth and glossy, dropping slowly from the paddle in a V-shape when ready.
• Sugar Sprinkling Technique: Use a generous handful of pearl sugar, letting it cascade over the piped dough for an even, sparkling coating.
• Moisture Matters: Keep the oven door slightly ajar during the last few minutes of baking to help chouquettes develop a crisp exterior.
• Temperature Transition: The two-stage baking temperature helps create a dramatic puff and golden exterior with a light, airy interior.

Keep Your Chouquettes Delicate After Baking

• Refrigeration: Store chouquettes in an airtight container lined with parchment paper. Seal tightly to prevent moisture and preserve their crispy texture. Enjoy within 2-3 days for optimal freshness.
• Freezing: Carefully wrap individual pastries in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature for best results.
• Reheating: Warm gently in a preheated oven at 325°F for 5-7 minutes. Avoid microwave, which can make pastries soggy. Sprinkle fresh pearl sugar before serving to restore their delightful crunch.

Brown Butter Chouquettes Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 20 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Delicate French chouquettes sparkle with pearl sugar, offering a buttery, crisp exterior and tender interior. Rich brown butter elevates these classic Parisian pastries, inviting you to savor each delightful, airy bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 165g all-purpose flour
• 240g eggs, lightly beaten (plus more if needed)
• 125g whole milk
• 125g water
• 110g unsalted butter (brown butter)

Primary Flavor Enhancers:

• 15g sugar
• 5g kosher salt
• 5g vanilla bean paste

Finishing Ingredient:

• Swedish pearl sugar (for topping)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare brown butter by melting butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, continuously cooking until it transforms to a golden-brown color with a nutty aroma, approximately 3-4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and allow to cool slightly.
2. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare two baking sheets by lining with parchment paper and tracing 1 1/4 inch (3.2 centimeters) circles, then flipping the paper to hide the markings.
3. Combine milk, water, brown butter, salt, vanilla extract, and sugar in a pot. Heat the mixture until it reaches a rolling boil. Immediately remove from heat and rapidly incorporate flour. Return to heat, stirring continuously for 2 minutes to eliminate moisture.
4. Transfer mixture to a stand mixer with paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed for 1 minute to reduce temperature, then switch to low speed. Gradually add eggs until fully incorporated, adding an extra egg if the mixture appears too dense.
5. Fill a piping bag with a round tip. Carefully pipe dough onto the traced circles, concluding each with a subtle wrist flick. Gently smooth any pointed edges using a moistened fingertip.
6. Generously sprinkle Swedish pearl sugar over the piped dough.
7. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes, then reduce temperature to 350°F (175°C). Continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until achieving a golden-brown color.
8. Create small vents in each chouquette using a knife. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely.

Notes

• Browning butter transforms its flavor, creating a nutty, caramel-like essence that elevates the entire pastry’s taste profile.
• Precise piping technique matters: use a round tip and end each dollop with a gentle wrist flick for elegant, uniform chouquettes.
• Swedish pearl sugar provides a delightful crunch and sparkling aesthetic, making these pastries visually stunning and texturally interesting.
• Two-stage baking method ensures crisp exterior and tender interior by starting at high heat and then reducing temperature.
• Checking dough consistency is crucial: if too stiff, carefully add another egg to achieve the perfect choux pastry texture.
• Allowing pastries to vent by cutting small slits prevents sogginess and helps maintain their delicate, airy structure.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 20
• Calories: 150 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 0.2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg